Lady of the Blue Rose

There once was a beautiful princess who lived in a far away castle with her father, the king. The queen, her mother, had died years ago when the princess was just a little girl. The king was never able to mend his broken heart and remarry.

He brought in the best tutors for the girl, who grew into a smart and beautiful young woman.

One day the king fell ill and was unable to govern the land. The princess, being a young girl devoted to her father, had never married and was unfit to rule according to the law of the land set down by her ancestors. Her father did not wish to force his only daughter into a loveless marriage for the sake of the kingdom, knowing that she would resent his decision and hate him for the rest of her days. However, he also knew that his days were growing shorter.

He called his daughter to his room late one night.

“My dear daughter,” he said as she kneeled beside his bed and took his hand. “You have grown into a beautiful young woman; your mother’s light shines through your eyes.”

“Thank you, father.” she said.

“But as you know, my days are numbered. I fear I shall not make it through this illness…”

She shook her head, “Please don’t speak that way, father. Your heart is strong, you shall...”

He stifled a laugh and began coughing. After clearing his throat, he said, “Ah, my heart has endured an unbearable pain for many years. And I never want you to suffer as I have. You must take a husband, daughter.”

She nodded.

“You must choose someone worthy of your love, my dear daughter. This shall be your choice and your choice alone, so choose well. Do you understand?”

“I understand, father. Rest now. I shall come and visit you again in the morning.”

The princess placed a kiss on her father’s cheek and watched as he shut his eyes for sleep. He never opened them again.

The princess held a great contest to find her husband. She announced that she would marry the first man who brought her a single blue rose.

Many thought she was insane for her request, for nowhere in the land did blue roses grow.

The princess remained resolute, “Any man who truly wishes to marry me will find a way.”

Princes, lords, dukes, and other distinguished gentleman came from all corners answering the princess’ challenge.

The first suitor was a wealthy prince from another kingdom who wished to form an alliance between the two lands with his marriage to the princess. When he set eyes on the princess, he was struck by her beauty.

The princess greeted him with a graceful bow. He took her hand and kissed it.
“Have you brought what I’ve asked?” she prompted him.

The prince smiled and clapped his hands together. A servant, dressed in fine silks, entered the room carrying a glittering gold box, ordained with colorful jewels. He opened the box and pulled out a beautiful rose crafted of gold and jewels.

“Your blue rose, my princess.”

She princess eyed the object curiously. “What is this?”

“The stem is crafted of pure gold and, see here, those are bits of jade and emerald to make the leaves. The center holds a flawless diamond. And here, the pedals are polished sapphire. It is a beautiful specimen, not unlike yourself, Princess.”

The princess frowned. “This is not what I’ve asked for. This is not a blue rose; it is not even a flower. This is an ornament – a symbol of your vast wealth. It means nothing to you.”

“I don’t understand. Will you not marry me? You would refuse me?”

“You have not done what I asked. You have not brought me a blue rose.” She answered simply.

The prince began to get angry. “What you asked is impossible! There is no such thing as a blue rose.”

“You did not put any thought into this. Instead, you used your wealth to create a solution. And what you have produced is nothing more than something to display, something that tells of your wealth, something pretty. I will not be your pretty little wife, serving as a testament to your wealth. You care nothing for the simplicity of a flower and, therefore, cannot care for me. No, I will not marry you.”

The prince stormed off, never to return to the kingdom again.

The princess saw a great deal of suitors, all bearing a “blue rose.” But none to her satisfaction. After months of searching, she was tempted to give up but she remembered her father’s words and saw one last suitor.

He was a young apprentice to a textile maker. He had very little money, but had heard of the princess’ challenge and believed he had a solution.

“Have you brought what I’ve asked?” she asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.

“I believe so, Princess.” He showed her the flower he had brought along with him. It was a flawless blue rose.

The princess took the flower in her hands and examined it. “What trick is this?”

The young apprentice was confused. “I don’t understand, Princess. Is this not what you asked for?”

“Indeed it is. A bit too well, I'd say. How did you accomplish this?”

“First, I took a simple white rose and dyed the pedals using a dye from my master’s shop. But the flower wilted hours later from the damage. I knew such a quick solution would not survive the journey to your kingdom. So, instead, I thought to place the dye in the water feeding the flower. And there you have your blue rose. Is it to your liking?”

“It’s perfect. You have brought me what I’ve asked for, using resources available to you. You would not risk the simple beauty of a flower to easily please me, but rather created something new and unique for me to enjoy. You not only considered my happiness, but the well-being of another living thing: the flower.”

“I am glad you are pleased, Princess.”

“As you know, my father was taken away from me by an illness that weakened his body, but his heart had died long before that. He warned me against a hasty decision in my marriage because he wanted me to love with all my heart, just as he did. I set this challenge to find a man worthy of my love.”

The apprentice’s heart sank. “I am not worthy to love a princess.”

She smiled. “I am much more than a princess.”

.:~o*’Kaylyn’*o~:.